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Old Observatory, Leiden

Old Observatory, Leiden

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Old Observatory, Leiden

Recommended by 102 hikers out of 106

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Location: Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands

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Best Hikes to Old Observatory, Leiden

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1. Morspoort, Leiden – Rembrandt Park, Leiden loop from Leiden Centraal

6.59km

01:40

20m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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4.7

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932

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2. Morspoort, Leiden – Rembrandt Park, Leiden loop from Levendaal

6.51km

01:39

20m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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4.4

(17)

134

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3. Morspoort, Leiden – Rembrandt Park, Leiden loop from Leiden Lammenschans

24.6km

06:13

40m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

Tips

Katrien

August 17, 2024

The Old Observatory of Leiden is the oldest existing university observatory in the world.

Translated by Google •

Matthias

September 26, 2019

universiteitleiden.nl/oudesterrewacht

Karin 🌍

October 20, 2025

The Leiden Observatory, located at Sterrewachtlaan 11 (and on the Witte Singel), was built in 1633 as the observatory of Leiden University, making it the oldest university observatory in the world. For its first two decades, the observatory was primarily used for educational purposes. In 1861, a new and larger observatory was built under the direction of Frederik Kaiser, now known as the "Oude Sterrewacht."
The Leiden Observatory has had many world-renowned directors, including Frederik Kaiser, Willem de Sitter, Ejnar Hertzsprung, and Jan Hendrik Oort.
Other famous astronomers who worked at the observatory included Hendrik Antoon Lorentz, Jacobus C. Kapteyn, and Hendrik Christoffel van de Hulst. The current director is Ignas Snellen (since 2022). (Source: Wikipedia)

In 1974, the astronomers moved into the new buildings of the Bioscience Park. The Oude Sterrewacht was then used as a temporary building for various university groups. After a thorough restoration (2009-2011), the building is now used by the Faculty of Law. The telescopes and domes are used by students and volunteers, who open them to the public during special open days, lectures, and tours. (Source: visitleiden.nl)

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Elevation 0 m

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Friday 12 December

11°C

5°C

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Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h

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Location: Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands

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Old Observatory, Leiden

1. Morspoort, Leiden – Rembrandt Park, Leiden loop from Leiden Centraal

2. Morspoort, Leiden – Rembrandt Park, Leiden loop from Levendaal

3. Morspoort, Leiden – Rembrandt Park, Leiden loop from Leiden Lammenschans

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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